Ramadan 2017 in Sarajevo, Bosnia                      

The first day and the second

What a blessing!!!

Brothers and Sisters in the Old Town speaking the words Salamu Alaikum

Sisters wearing veils with colors like in the bright rainbow appearing before me and my two new friends from Bosnia in a sky above a bussling bazaar, there a smaller group of humans watching and a larger group of tourists capturing a rare moment in Sarajevo on photo

Many brothers wearing kufis and many brothers with trendy hair styles paired with Western outfits gathering in the courtyard of Gazi Husrev-Bey Mosque, the largest in Bosnia and sixteen centuries old. Tourists from Africa, America, Europe, and other landscapes and many locals exchanging words and gestures in a month better than a thousand

Families spending time together at the Grand Mosque and at smaller mosques and in other places surrounded by picturesque hills and green plush trees

A father, a mother, their toddler son...he practicing walking on a masjid's cobblestone, and their young daughter...she smiling at her father as he walks by. Each family member physically at a distance from each other. Each family member at a cell's distance in communion with each other.

In the mid afternoon on a Ramadan's day, a sister from Munich and I having met for the first time at Bey Mosque ride together in a taxi up a steep hill to see a guest house she knows

A smell of lingering cigarette smoke permeating the air within the house so thick beckons me to leave politely and quickly. Unaware of the smell's degree, the owner learns of its' offensiveness as I disclose my sensitivity to & the dislike of the smell of cigarette smoke, both acutely heightened while fasting

Careful steps back down the steep hill to the city center, me avoiding stumbling on a large rock or being runover by a speeding automobile, interestingly instead I stumble upon a beautiful grave yard of uniquely shaped white gravestones and a charming mosque with a high minaret

At the bottom of the hill sits a crafts and artistry shop, one of many in Sarajevo's Old Town. Upon entering and a brief conversation with the owner, a piece of generosity is handed to me, a square shape piece of wood with Ayat tul Kursi in hand calligraphy

During the late afternoon hours, a time for reading Quran by many at mosques in the city. Sisters and brothers sitting on carpeted floors, some with backs supported by mosque walls, some with bodies sitting in chairs, fasters occupied with the most perfected Divine Scripture

A brief leisurely stroll with my two new friends Dzenita and her sister Amina through part of the Bazaar, they sharing opinions of their favorite restaurants, best eating experiences, and other things

In the early evening, a time to buy food to prepare for the Iftar meal. Showing me how it's done in Sarajevo, Dzenita and Amina invite me to join them on an excursion up a hill to buy Somun, a Bosnian flatbread topped with black seeds from the city's famous bread maker. Standing in a line longer than Georgetown Cupcake, Dzenita surprises me with a gift of Somun for myself

Two dates, one cube of Bosnian delight, and one cup of water to break our fast with at the Bey Mosque. A canon bomb sounds off to announce the time for Magrib prayer and Iftar, customary in Sarajevo during Ramadan

Startled and alerted by the bomb's depth and volume, I stand up to join the congregation for communion with God, The God Most Gracious, Most High

Out of nowhere I'm invited to Iftar at a shop nearby the Grand Mosque, about 8 of us guests being served by the warm owner, she offering a meal for Iftar at her shop every night during Ramadan, a big-hearted tradition of hers

Cevapi, Cevapi, Cevapi...I'll say it once more, Cevapi -- sold in Bosnian restaurants, cafes, bazaars, and made in many homes, eaten happily by many fasters at Iftar. Served with freshly chopped onions, some served with a soft white cheese, some with a red peppery sauce, many served with Somun, all ways tried by me and tasting as scrumptious as my first experience with Cevapi in Germany, then falling in love with it

Cold winds at night from the surrounding mountains, a refreshing air yet taking my breath and power away from the chill of it, completely disappearing with my start of Isha prayer with other Muslims and the declaration "Allah hu Akbar"

9 Muftis with impeccable Tajweed each taking turns to recite the words of our Grand Lord before sunrise, me weeping from God's messages, the reality of His greatness, my servitude to Him, and a recognition of sounds similar to that of my Mumin Father's, those familiar to me since birth

Three dear sisters, university students from Turkey and I journey together on foot after Fajr from the Old Mosque to a street train, along the way stopping by a community center, our destination - their home an hour or so away to rest, the four of us coming to know each other and each others' thoughts with every step. Contempleting my desire to spend more time in the city over sleep, the three sisters showing great generosity and I embrace and exchange Salams at a stop near the main station, the three walking with me to an open place before continuing on

In the land of a marriage between the East and the West and where newspaper is used to clean a cafe window, on the list of to-dos -- shopping for gifts for family and for souvenirs, window shopping done along the way, asking myself Shall I buy a Dzezva, a hand-made Bosnian coffee set, or a vintage wood Sarajevo box, or a woven wallet, or Bosnian sweets.

In a bazaar walkway, Maher Zain's song "Ramadan" playing loudly. At another moment, lyrics about a month of devotion and sacrifice from Sami Yusuf echoeing. Shop owners in Old Town with dispositions of calm and quiet grace greeting me and others cordially and respectfully. Shopping a few hours more until near sunset for post cards with a real version of the Grand Mosque, finding only less than satisfactory versions. Time running out for shopping, another reason now to return to Bosnia, God-Willing

Magrib prayer a second night at the Gazi Husrev-Bey Mosque. Observing the crowd, a striking occurrence taking place, a teenage boy walking a small length behind a man on to the mosque carpet. There the boy approaches an older man giving him a respectful hand shake. After prayer, a native of Sarajevo shares with me in wholesome conversation, "You are known in the town not by what you have. You are known by how well you behave."

Another invitation, this time for a cup of a tea at a cafe. Overflowing with people mostly young adults, men and women sitting at tightly packed small tables inside and a few outside, conversations merging into each other with a loud volume flowing throughout, Shisha being smoked by some, cigarettes by some, smoke in the air and the temperature inside melting away heavy make-up on sisters' faces. "This is Ramadan in Sarajevo." Madia says. "One aspect of it." says I. Not having a good feeling right away when walking in and not wanting to stay, the two of us leave quickly.

My two new friends Dzenita and Amina aka angels of hospitality and kindness reciprocating my gift to them of Milka chocolate give me a gift before departing the next day. "Tespih!!" A burnt red and yellow colored set with sparkingly gold thinly cut wrapping paper looking stripes purchased at the Gazi Husrev-Bey Mosque gift shop. Not knowing then I collect Tesbih, their gift is now my most favorite of my Tesbih collection

Husbands and wives, men and women both young and old, well-groomed and well-dressed, some holding hands as they stroll through narrow pathways in the Old Town on a Ramadan's night. Families talking and eating at restaurants, friends in groups sharing laughs, so much to see, so much to experience. At a cafe where baked goods, ice cream, and other sweets are sold, a lady sitting with a group of others initiates speaking to me, stopping me in my tracks. Bidding me farewell, she extends me a gracious compliment

Ramadan 2017 in Sarajevo, Bosnia to Remember

The first day and the second

What a blessing!!!

by Najwa Kareem

They're chasing this dollar bill
even it means compromising their beliefs and morals
even if it means lowering the status of their souls
even if it means hurting and not really caring about their own children
even if it means abusing them

They're chasing this dollar bill and they like the taste of this dollar bill
They want to taste it every day
They like what they can do with this dollar bill so they chase it every day
They don't realize how much of a slave they are to this dollar bill, nor will they admit to their slavery

They don't care if their chasing this dollar bill means more single sisters in the world
They don't care if it means mostly sisters are running many civil, Islamic, and Muslim organizations even though their husbands' contributions are desperately needed
Even if their children need their strength and their sons need role models and need and want to look up to them
Even if their children do not know how to read Quran and understand its meanings so they grow up stable, on solid footing, and bullet-proofed from all of the dangerous threats coming at them every day
They're chasing this dollar bill

They imitate their fathers chasing this dollar bill
Some want to out do their fathers in pursuit of this dollar bill
Some want to out do their fathers who failed in pursuit of the dollar bill
Some want to out do their fathers who succeeded enormously in pursuit of the dollar bill
Some want to out do their fathers who care less about chasing this dollar bill
They're chasing this dollar bill

The culture says if one is a man, he's supposed to be chasing this dollar bill
If he wants to be a man, he has to keep chasing the dollar bill
To be successful, have a perpetual plan on chasing the dollar bill
Advertisements, subliminal messages suggesting they need more things
They need more to be happy
They're chasing this dollar bill

They didn't get what they wanted when they were growing up. Now they can with this dollar bill
They had a frugal parent. Now they can be reckless. They're chasing this dollar bill
They had a cheap car in high school and in college. Not anymore. Luxury now only on wheels. They're chasing this dollar bill

Buying their children the name brand shoes they didn't have as children; Living vicariously makes up for a lot; Living vicariously fills up the holes
They're chasing this dollar bill

This dollar bill gets them the beautiful girl or so they think or at least temporarily
Finally they feel like somebody chasing this dollar bill

Their sons need to learn about chastity so they learn to respect God, themselves, and girls and to understand the value, beauty, and protection of experiencing *** and intimacy in marriage
Time is money. They're chasing this dollar bill

Young girls sitting in the classroom dressed looking like hookers and hoes and boys expected to focus on the teacher and their school work; Keep their eyes down and not call the girls, and not flirt with them, and not want to sleep with them or not go home with them. God on the other hand is covered up and no one is teaching kids who they are but the expectation is that they will know God and know themselves 
They're chasing this dollar bill

The oppressed need people to advocate for them. There are tons of homeless on the street. They're chasing this dollar bill

The ones around them who call themselves friends not really being friends to them.
Their friends don't ask them What's up with you? Where are your priorities? Re-evaluate your priorities man. What's really behind all this chasing? I want to see you in heaven with me prayfully, hopefully. I want to share in it with you. I care about you.

Instead their friends compliment them on their chasing this dollar bill
Their friends admire them chasing the dollar bill
Their friends edge them on to chase harder, chase more
Their friends get puffed up being associated with friends chasing this dollar bill
Their friends copy them chasing the dollar bill so they too have a taste of the dollar bill
Their friends compete with them chasing the dollar bill

They want to keep up with the Jones's running after the dollar bill, tripping and stumbling along the way trying not to let others see
They're chasing this dollar bill

I don't understand
It makes no sense to me
Why they're chasing this dollar bill to such a degree

It's clear to me. They're out of their right mind. That's what chasing this dollar bill can do to thee

They are on a chasing-this-dollar-bill frenzy
Their daughters need them to teach them more about hijab. Some of them wearing no hijab leaving them more of a target for hungry boys and men...like a closet full of valuables with no sign on the outside reading "Private"; Not for you to touch. Not your property. Not your valuables
What does that matter. They're chasing this dollar bill

Boys and men tempted by their daughters without hijab to imagine what their daughters' private parts sizes might be; What the sight of their nakedness could be
What they could do with their private parts
Their daughters need to learn their value and their worth from their fathers, fathers who are chasing this dollar bill

A human life investment or a temporary monetary investment...Where do they invest their time
It's an easy answer - They have no time...they're chasing this dollar bill

The community needs building but their homes need upgrading
They're chasing this dollar bill

My heart is heavy. I don't feel well
I'll keep talking about it. Even if I puke
I'll keep writing

They say women follow men. That's exactly what they are doing
They too are chasing this dollar bill

And we're all weaker because of it

If money strengthens, why are we weak
Why are our men weak
Why are our women frail  

Why

They're chasing this dollar bill

They're chasing this dollar bill

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like that of a full moon
bringing light
from the One
who has commanded me
to wear it
to my face

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like a merry-go-round
rotating with a joyful force
in places near and far
illuminating its power
a reflection of my soul
and inner beauty

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
the way whirling dervishes move
we're so high
aspiring nearness to Allah Masha'Allah
our act of wearing hijab daily
deserving of much respect
and Insha Allah
The Seventh Heaven

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like a spinning wheel
many made
in different colors
and in different textures
each brightening the world
and when wearing it
like Khadijah (AS), Fatimah (AS), and Aisha (RA)
attracts attention of the best kind

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like Big Ben
I'm so high
dignified
a visible ambassador
of Islam
saying no to immodesty
and saying yes to our Majesty

Hijab is my crown
shaped in a circle
around my head
like a halo
starting my day with Bismillah
and looking into the mirror
to carefully donn it
I remember
I'm doing this to help men
married and unmarried
from sinning
and to protect myself
from impurity and immoral acts
as
Hijab is my crown
for me a Queen

By: Najwa Kareem

In Allah’s eyes, you are special…each and every one of us.
In Allah’s eyes, there could be a blessing waiting for you.
In Allah’s eyes, you have a shimmering heart.
In Allah’s eyes, your hands mirror His.
In Allah’s eyes, the chance to do the impossible is every day.
In Allah’s eyes, there is no one better than you except the one better in character.
In Allah’s eyes, you’ve given it your all.
In Allah’s eyes, He’s giving you everything you need.
In Allah’s eyes, your walls are transparent.
In Allah’s eyes, your affections reach many.
In Allah’s eyes, you’re the only one who stands in the way.
In Allah’s eyes, your Salam means more than peace.
In Allah’s eyes, your mistakes are no secret and His love is still there.
In Allah’s eyes, truth is all we know.
In Allah’s eyes, we have an infinite number of beginnings.
In Allah’s eyes, you are everywhere He can see.
In Allah’s eyes, you doubt how close you are to Him.
In Allah’s eyes, you are gracious and kind.
In Allah’s eyes, you’re doing right with His special favor.
In Allah’s eyes, there’s only one constant in your life.
In Allah’s eyes, your face shines bright.

By Najwa Kareem

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP thinking you are superior.
STOP believing you are entitled.
STOP acting in ways that are unfair.
STOP executing in ways that destroy, in ways that ****, in ways that harm.
STOP dominating ruthlessly.
STOP being threatened by a faith growing the fastest in the world, a faith apart of your history.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP the madness.
STOP the evilness.
STOP hiding behind lands with money and power.
STOP partnering with men dressed in thobes on thrones drenched in oil.
STOP being a thief - taking things that don't belong to you, occupying places that aren't yours.
STOP the ego.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP discriminating.
STOP hating.
STOP colonizing.
STOP cozing up with missionaries who divide Muslims, who **** Muslims and innocent others.
STOP listening to your loud-mouth desire to control and start listening to the calm, just voice of your God.
STOP being the bully of the world.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

When Muslims and others begin to think.
When Muslims and others aren't afraid to think.
When Muslims and others individually and collectively don't fear speaking up.
When Muslim lands with Muslim leaders start practicing what they preach and stop turning their heads and putting their fingers in their ears.
When non-Muslim lands with Muslim leaders stop being fearful and start preaching using the Quran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with an understanding of God's words in the Quran and the words of the Prophet.
When Muslim leaders and other leaders abandon their pre-occupation with making money to provide comforts for their own families and children and begin concerning themselves with speaking the truth and doing right to ensure the comforts of all families and children.
When Muslim leaders and other leaders stop playing politics and begin speaking about politics and the hard issues affecting Muslims, humanity, our world.
When Muslims start holding themselves and holding their religious leaders accountable.
When Muslims and others start supporting their God-fearing, truth-telling, justice seeking leaders and role models.
When Muslims and others really believe Allah hu Akbar/God is Greater than and La ilaha illallah/There is no God or Authority but Allah or God.
When Muslims start seeing and understanding those who perceive and practice Islam based on a particular school of thought...Sunnism or ****'ism or Sufism, etc. and those who do not align themselves with one particular school of thought or ideology as all one Ummah, one brotherhood, one body.
When Muslims and others end resorting to the cultures of their countries and ethnicities and begin relying upon God's culture, one that unifies and strengthens all.
When lands of the world start making alliances with Al-Quds and with Palestine.
When humanity acknowledges the hypocrisy of Zionist Israel and the disaster and mayhem it has caused the world.
When the world realizes the criminality of Zionism.
When people of the world start thinking and acting globally and not individually or nationalistically.
When people begin to see, understand, and act in ways that reflect that the Muslims of Al-Quds and of Palestine are oppressed, grieving, struggling, bleeding members of one human family.
When each of us STOPS and thinks of them and their situation and the siege of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque and what role we all play.

by: Najwa Kareem

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP thinking you are superior.
STOP believing you are entitled.
STOP acting in ways that are unfair.
STOP executing in ways that destroy, in ways that ****, in ways that harm.
STOP dominating ruthlessly.
STOP being threatened by a faith growing the fastest in the world, a faith apart of your history.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP the madness.
STOP the evilness.
STOP hiding behind lands with money and power.
STOP partnering with men dressed in thobes on thrones drenched in oil.
STOP being a thief - taking things that don't belong to you, occupying places that aren't yours.
STOP the ego.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP discriminating.
STOP hating.
STOP colonizing.
STOP cozing up with missionaries who divide Muslims, who **** Muslims and innocent others.
STOP listening to your loud-mouth desire to control and start listening to the calm, just voice of your God.
STOP being the bully of the world.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

When Muslims and others begin to think.
When Muslims and others aren't afraid to think.
When Muslims and others individually and collectively don't fear speaking up.
When Muslim lands with Muslim leaders start practicing what they preach and stop turning their heads and putting their fingers in their ears.
When non-Muslim lands with Muslim leaders stop being fearful and start preaching using the Quran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with an understanding of God's words in the Quran and the words of the Prophet.
When Muslim leaders and other leaders abandon their pre-occupation with making money to provide comforts for their own families and children and begin concerning themselves with speaking the truth and doing right to ensure the comforts of all families and children.
When Muslim leaders and other leaders stop playing politics and begin speaking about politics and the hard issues affecting Muslims, humanity, our world.
When Muslims start holding themselves and holding their religious leaders accountable.
When Muslims and others start supporting their God-fearing, truth-telling, justice seeking leaders and role models.
When Muslims and others really believe Allah hu Akbar/God is Greater than and La ilaha illallah/There is no God or Authority but Allah or God.
When Muslims start seeing and understanding those who perceive and practice Islam based on a particular school of thought...Sunnism or ****'ism or Sufism, etc. and those who do not align themselves with one particular school of thought or ideology as all one Ummah, one brotherhood, one body.
When Muslims and others end resorting to the cultures of their countries and ethnicities and begin relying upon God's culture, one that unifies and strengthens all.
When lands of the world start making alliances with Al-Quds and with Palestine.
When humanity acknowledges the hypocrisy of Zionist Israel and the disaster and mayhem it has caused the world.
When the world realizes the criminality of Zionism.
When people of the world start thinking and acting globally and not individually or nationalistically.
When people begin to see, understand, and act in ways that reflect that the Muslims of Al-Quds and of Palestine are oppressed, grieving, struggling, bleeding members of one human family.
When each of us STOPS and thinks of them and their situation and the siege of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque and what role we all play.

by: Najwa Kareem

We fed ourselves on New Year's well

Gifts were exchanged over the song The First Noel

The evening before Christmas drinks were had

Many fooling themselves that they are glad

Throughout the cheer, men, women, and children in Yemen forgotten

Leftover turkeys and roasts would be hurriedly eaten even if found rotten

Starvation has Yemeni bodies eating themselves

Have you seen photos of their emaciated figures on newspapers' shelves

Pregnant women and newborn babies with dead husbands and dead fathers

How do they care for themselves when in the grand scheme of things no one bothers

Saudi military should go **** on themselves

Murderous cowards that they are playing with Santa's elves

Women in Yemen being ***** and domestic violence bring me to tears

Would they get away with their satanic work if the U.S. wasn't kissing their filthy rears

Seriously dangerous diseases running rampant

Yemenis beautiful skin no longer so lambent

So few of us care enough to choke up for our Ahmeds and for our Imans

I ask infuriatingly will it take a whole country's destruction to rise for Yemen's Marwans

4 Years, 1500 days, 3600 hours, 2,160,000 minutes, 129,600,000 seconds
Yemen with a devastating war
Yemen crushed by Saudi war criminals
Yemen wounded by US' immorality
Yemen killed by too many's frigid hearts
Yemen unbelievably destroyed

4 Years, 1500 days, 3600 hours, 2,160,000 minutes, 129,600,000 seconds
Yemen a skeleton
Yemen with its sustainable resources confiscated
Yemen its country's wealth no more
Yemen with blood everywhere

4 Years, 1500 days, 3600 hours, 2,160,000 minutes, 129,600,000 seconds
Yemen with 20 Million affected
Yemen with babies deceased
Yemen with young orphaned
Yemen with old without shelter
Yemen with men buried under sand
Yemen with women *****
Yemen with countless widowed
Yemen trapped under rebel with people screaming for help

4 Years, 1500 days, 3600 hours, 2,160,000 minutes, 129,600,000 seconds
Yemen in shock
Yemen weary
Yemen with its hands up high in the air pleading for an end

Are our hands up with them
Are our foreheads wet
Are our eyes full
Are our mouths dry
Are our fingers in motion
Are our legs fatigued
Are our brains thinking

YEMEN: 4 Years Starving, 4 Years Dying, 4 Years Bleeding, 4 Years Grieving, 4 Years Hurting, 4 Years Too Long Not With Our Oppressed, 4 Years Too Late We Must Begin

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP thinking you are superior.
STOP believing you are entitled.
STOP acting in ways that are unfair.
STOP executing in ways that destroy, in ways that ****, in ways that harm.
STOP dominating ruthlessly.
STOP being threatened by a faith growing the fastest in the world, a faith apart of your history.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP the madness.
STOP the evilness.
STOP hiding behind lands with money and power.
STOP partnering with men dressed in thobes on thrones drenched in oil.
STOP being a thief - taking things that don't belong to you, occupying places that aren't yours.
STOP the ego.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

STOP discriminating.
STOP hating.
STOP colonizing.
STOP cozing up with missionaries who divide Muslims, who **** Muslims and innocent others.
STOP listening to your loud-mouth desire to control and start listening to the calm, just voice of your God.
STOP being the bully of the world.

Here you go again.

Confiscating another House of Allah's. In a precious land. In a historical place.

When will you man up. When will you assess your arrogance of the past and your arrogance of the present and STOP.

When Muslims and others begin to think.
When Muslims and others aren't afraid to think.
When Muslims and others individually and collectively don't fear speaking up.
When Muslim lands with Muslim leaders start practicing what they preach and stop turning their heads and putting their fingers in their ears.
When non-Muslim lands with Muslim leaders stop being fearful and start preaching using the Quran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with an understanding of God's words in the Quran and the words of the Prophet.
When Muslim leaders and other leaders abandon their pre-occupation with making money to provide comforts for their own families and children and begin concerning themselves with speaking the truth and doing right to ensure the comforts of all families and children.
When Muslim leaders and other leaders stop playing politics and begin speaking about politics and the hard issues affecting Muslims, humanity, our world.
When Muslims start holding themselves and holding their religious leaders accountable.
When Muslims and others start supporting their God-fearing, truth-telling, justice seeking leaders and role models.
When Muslims and others really believe Allah hu Akbar/God is Greater than and La ilaha illallah/There is no God or Authority but Allah or God.
When Muslims start seeing and understanding those who perceive and practice Islam based on a particular school of thought...Sunnism or ****'ism or Sufism, etc. and those who do not align themselves with one particular school of thought or ideology as all one Ummah, one brotherhood, one body.
When Muslims and others end resorting to the cultures of their countries and ethnicities and begin relying upon God's culture, one that unifies and strengthens all.
When lands of the world start making alliances with Al-Quds and with Palestine.
When humanity acknowledges the hypocrisy of Zionist Israel and the disaster and mayhem it has caused the world.
When the world realizes the criminality of Zionism.
When people of the world start thinking and acting globally and not individually or nationalistically.
When people begin to see, understand, and act in ways that reflect that the Muslims of Al-Quds and of Palestine are oppressed, grieving, struggling, bleeding members of one human family.
When each of us STOPS and thinks of them and their situation and the siege of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque and what role we all play.

by: Najwa Kareem

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them to continue not giving, to continue expecting, and to continue receiving

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them that they are important and the person who gives to them is not

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them that they are entitled

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them to not put in any effort or to put in very little effort

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them to be arrogant

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them that selfishness ends in rewards

Giving to ungrateful people teaches them that not giving or that giving very little is acceptable when it is not

No more giving to ungrateful people

This gal has changed

Color is light. Color is grace. Color is a garden.  

Since when was white not a color.

Since when was white the other.

Since when was white not your brother.

You are no better than us. We are no better than you. You are a color like us. We are a color like you.

Color is a gift. Color is magic. Color is our skin.

Color is divine. Color is no mistake.  

Color is just a color.

Color is a window.

Color is bliss.  

Color is the Lord’s stage.

Color is alive. Color is eternity.

Color is noteworthy.

Color is original. Color is a story.

Color is extending.

Color is our breath.

Color is sunshine. Color is our life line.

Color is captivating.  

Color is our wings.

Color is love.

Color is beautiful.

Color is you. Color is I. Color is he. Color is she. Color is us.

by: Najwa Kareem

February 2017

On an island with so much untouched nature outside, why are the prices of things so expensive inside

Is it really necessary to charge a customer for oatmeal cookies four times the price they should be

Does it really take stealing from people and worrying people to sustain a country; to fuel an economy

Molded apples and molded oranges not having sold quick enough being removed from the shelves in a store

Things are so complicated, I say to a cashier at the register about life as it is now

She shakes her head yes and says, I often ask myself where am I?

written on 12/19/18

I'm crying out but I shed no tears
Notice me, Notice me

Nobody thinks of me
Notice me, Notice me
  
Why do they blame me?
Notice me, Notice me
  
I smile to hide the pain
Notice me, Notice me

My laugh is loud but can't be heard
Notice me, Notice me
  
When it thunders, I sleep
Notice me, Notice me
  
I eat but my stomach never fills
Notice me, Notice me
  
The world around me screams "Wow!" and I ask "How?"
Notice me, Notice me
  
Love for another...Love for another, does it really exist?
Notice me, Notice me
  
Too busy running, too self-absorbed
Notice me, Notice me

Everyone around me unable to see
Notice me, Notice me
  
When everything breaks, I'm left to pick up the pieces
Notice me, Notice me
  
Illusions are the prize and me a tear in their eyes
Notice me, Notice me
  
I count 1, 2, 3...You see
Notice me, Notice me

Last on the list, other things on it first
Notice me, Notice me
  
I walk, I run it matters nonetheless
Notice me, Notice me
  
My roar overflows with words without pages
Notice me, Notice me

I wink at the bright yellow sun as the birds fly by
Notice me, Notice me
  
Look how high my broken swing touches the sky
Notice me, Notice me
  
Subdued by it all, my stillness keeps me afloat
Notice me, Notice me
  
Why me, Why me
Notice me, Notice me
  
Why not us, Why not us
Notice me, Notice me
  
-Najwa Kareem

A backdrop of gorgeous hues, tints, and shades peeking in from afar draw near, I on one side, it on the other, the two of us bidding for a glance at two white doves on center stage.  
 
Their eyes converging, their glance coinciding, a replica of the simplicity in which they were brought together, a dual recognition ignited by the burning of hearts and the lumination of souls. 
 
Affectionate hands coupled in an orbit of serenity, her passionately embracing his with a tug of excitement gushing I’m yours, his tenderly and securely supporting hers and in acceptance of gifts of admiration and approval, he is humbled whilst mesmerized by her captivating beauty and elatious smile.  
 
Two distinct bodies standing still between an air of transparency and vulnerability, they occupying an endearing space serenading to sweet melodies reminiscent of one exclusive life. A bit of haze lingers behind her, her ***** drumming to a cheerful step toward his, there she waits in an affirmative reply of what much he has to offer her, what much he has given her. He consumed by her presence, his face speaking something his mouth cannot. A yearning for each other unspoken, the romantic harmony of a moonstruck light and a synchronized kiss. Their bodies held captive by their souls set free. 
 
An impartial unfinished hallow sits as a canopy above, gracing its cascading rays on the couples’ faces creating unique shadows on each, one caressing the other in a playfully warm exchange. Overwhelmed by his serenade, emotions overflow and an innocent blush appears, his heart unburdened, skipping to a resounding beat and the words, I found my soulmate. With a slight rise of her jaw, she’s smitten with this king, the delicate skin of her countenance warmed by the glow of his, a pink dusting of her freshwater pearls.  
 
A love affair unconventional, a duo in adoration, a marriage of crisp airiness and a desire for discovery ringing true, a fondness between man and woman precious like a round cut diamond, weightless as dandelion fuzz blowing in the wind, beaming identical to that of a fluorescent night star, the twosome looking into one soul rejoices intimately at their romantic chemistry and unyielding bond. 
 
A gracious audience of ink, navy, and Prussian blue, antique and porcelain white, emerald green and scarlet pink in a pose of calm celebration, honors the mister and missus with an exuberant ovation. Entangled in a web of love with a sincerity stringing them in unison, the two in a trance cherishes a declaration so glamorous, a devotion so light.

Blue
a soothing hue
with varying complexions
like that of each open sky
bountiful clouds
an energetic sun
and
magnificent rainbows
complimenting it

Blue
a soothing hue
cascading its spectrum
of light
and coolness
onto the earth
drawing many
to its canopy

Blue
a soothing hue
like that of the Nile
serene sounds of historic waters
flowing a great distance
confirming its majesty
and embracing sanctuary

If the color blue is so
why are so many in Sudan blue
why are so many in Sudan dying
why are so many in Sudan *****
why are so many in Sudan weeping

If the color blue is so
why is Sudan blue
why is Sudan worried
why is Sudan being terrorized
why is Sudan fighting back

If the color blue is so
why is Sudan's peaceful protesters being attacked
why are courageous women speaking out

If the color blue is so
why are tears falling from
natives' eyes
filling up an iconic river
as they mourn the ******  
of their mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters
remembering good times
dear ones' smiles, hearts, kisses,
words,
their love and mercy expressed

Blue
a soothing hue
yet we need know why
yet we're obligated to think why
yet we must talk why
Sudan is blue

Muslims are not to date.

But you've seen him kissing Kate.

Zayd, Khalid, Luqman don't care that ALLAH tells us to wait.

They flash their sinful pictures straight.

Without shame, a number of my brothers show children watching how to fake mate.

Selfish, self-centered, I do what I want to do is happening at a fast rate.

Most of them who date know ALLAH regards their actions with hate.

Persistence to do wrong, to fake date Kate, prevents them from moving in a direction that is straight.

Maybe their children, ones they were never told about would have entered the world as ******* late.

Maybe their done away with babies would have exited the world as ALLAH'S slaves who used Islamic knowledge as bait.

Before marriage it is said, I love you, You're hot; Kate steals these phrases from the role of a wife and uses them to increase her heart rate.

They share a bed and have *** but what they want not to know is that they fornicate.

A load of grave sins they accrue and a heavy punishment from ALLAH if they do not feel guilty, if they do not repent, if they do not end what they perpetuate.

Many practicing Muslim maids want not to marry them. Little do those who fake date Kate know that their actions likely got in the way of GOD'S good fate.

That their use and abuse of ALLAH'S fashioned female and a Father's beloved daughter, violates her like how a dog with his razor-sharp teeth on her arm viciously ate.

He and Kate with memories to relive the sores and bruises, the trauma and incidents of disobedience which cut off grace from ALLAH, The Great.

You're going to make wait late.

You're going to fake date Kate.

She chose to sit in the driver's seat

Marzieh Hashemi isn't afraid of the smoldering heat

nor is she like the rest that one should try to beat

Like a butterfly in the mountain's wind

she'll pick up speed and bounce to the end

and help those around her confidently amend

Insightful, optimistic, she'll make you think

distracted by her intelligence, you'll feel no need to blink

on a gathering day, she looked beautiful in pink

Safety, cheer, and comfort were well dished out

to more than her own, a Mother for all to draw to and pout

Our unforgettable journey is Marzieh Hashemi, an icon of strength to plead about

By: Najwa Kareem

US President Trump declared Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel.

How brazen.
He dare not hide his allegiance with thugs, war criminals, terrorists, thieves, heartless creatures, shall I go on.
He corrupt enough to give ownership of a capital rightfully belonging to Palestine to blood thirsty Zionists.

People all over the world protesting, demonstrating, showing their resistance to Trump's nonsense for more than a week now.
Most of the protests reactionary.
Although the protests are purposeful and necessary, ongoing consistent proactive resistance is what is needed.
Regretfully is what is lacking.

Keffiyah, donned by many following Trump's wicked declaration. The garment of solidarity with an oppressed land and oppressed people & a resistance to ongoing Zionist colonialism & criminality.
Buy One, Wear One, Speak up with One. Educate with One. Avoid being reactionary with One. Be proactive with One.  

Long live Al-Quds. Long live Palestine. May God always protect the Holy Land.

by Najwa Kareem

Ibrahim looking at Dalila declares Kitab Allah wa sunnati Rasullah

Dalila looking at Ibrahim declares Kitab Allah wa sunnati Rasullah

Ibrahim says to Dalila You are my heaven tonight

Dalila smiles

Ibrahim thanks Allah before dawn for being given the best provision

Dalila sits behind him humbling herself before Allah and giving reverance to Allah for an uncalculated blessing

Ibrahim leads them in their daily prayers

Dalila carefully and gratefully follows

Ibrahim is just or fair with Dalila and the family

Dalila is just or fair with Ibrahim and the family

Ibrahim often cooks delicious dinners for the two of them

Dalila plays with Ibrahim's hair afterwards

Ibrahim reads Quran and lives it for Allah, Allah's beloved Prophet, himself, Dalila, and their kids

Dalila learns from Ibrahim every day and admires his efforts to do what is required of him as a man of faith, as a husband, and as a father

Ibrahim is honest with Dalila

Dalila is honest with Ibrahim

Ibrahim gives Dalila attention and listens to her when she needs to talk

Dalila dresses for Ibrahim like she doesn't dress for other men

Ibrahim loves the way she looks for him

Dalila lets Ibrahim know what he can do for her to please her

Ibrahim enjoys the challenge and likes being her hero

Dalila often has nights out on the town with Ibrahim she plans

Ibrahim surprises Dalila several times a year by taking her to unique places and sometimes to scenic, thrilling vacation spots

Dalila says to Ibrahim You've made me yours forever

Ibrahim replies I'm a fortunate man

Ibrahim looking at Dalila declares Kitab Allah wa sunnati Rasullah

Dalila looking at Ibrahim declares Kitab Allah wa sunnati Rasullah

Ibrahim says to Dalila You are my heaven tonight

Dalila smiles

Ibrahim thanks Allah before dawn for being given the best provision

Dalila sits behind him humbling herself before Allah and giving reverance to Allah for an uncalculated blessing

Ibrahim leads them in their daily prayers

Dalila carefully and gratefully follows

Ibrahim is just or fair with Dalila and the family

Dalila is just or fair with Ibrahim and the family

Ibrahim often cooks delicious dinners for the two of them

Dalila plays with Ibrahim's hair afterwards

Ibrahim reads Quran and lives it for Allah, Allah's beloved Prophet, himself, Dalila, and their kids

Dalila learns from Ibrahim every day and admires his efforts to do what is required of him as a man of faith, as a husband, and as a father

Ibrahim is honest with Dalila

Dalila is honest with Ibrahim

Ibrahim gives Dalila attention and listens to her when she needs to talk

Dalila undresses for Ibrahim like she doesn't undress for other men

Ibrahim loves the way she looks for him

Dalila lets Ibrahim know what he can do for her to please her

Ibrahim enjoys the challenge and likes being her hero

Dalila often has nights out on the town with Ibrahim she plans

Ibrahim surprises Dalila several times a year by taking her to unique places and sometimes to scenic, thrilling vacation spots

Dalila says to Ibrahim You've made me yours forever

Ibrahim replies I'm happy I did

Elevated position
strategically sitting
following a script
she says apathetically
three words
An audience a witness
Differently they speak
a language of friendliness
and graciousness
Lying on the innocent
she spreads confusion and doubt
Around the corner
a ray of goodness manifests
She averts her head
the mirror to a heart in crystal white
and guilty
is the Satan in her eyes

Anticipation rising
as our holiday nears

My gosh, Eid ul Fitr
is already here

In the early morning
on your way to groom and a bath

I know it's so because
I too clean up to be on the same path

Squeaky clean
the skin on our faces shine

A gigantic goal accomplished
oh we're feeling really fine

Who needs Christmas when we've got Eid
a festivity that includes all Muslims even those in need

Decorative clothes we wear while extending our hearts to each other and offering a good cheer
it isn't hard to tell our love of our religion is near

From the same community we come, it's known we throw a fun-filled Eid party
"Because this is my holiday" and our festive spirits aught to be really hearty

Allah hu Akbar, the accessory and ornament of our special day
along with a duo and nearly two billion others, you'll hear me loudly say

When little girls, Atefeh's and my enthusiasm about Eid blossoming as we sang a Eid song perhaps trying to compete
"From sunrise to sunset, no food did we eat. All praises are due to Allah, our fast is now complete."

Mehdi whose thoughts of his beloved in the distance too busy with his boys climbing trees and ducking low
a long time friend of two families to witness a wedding and a start of a Eid tradition that brings the community together, what a show

So here's to Mehdi and Atefeh, Eid enthusiasts among a few
showing you gratitude and appreciation, for we've heard it said "It takes one to know two."

by: Najwa Kareem

You're going to force me to violate a practice that has been ordained upon me by GOD for specific reasons after locking me up when I've committed no crime.

You're going to bully me and try to intimidate me and the many others who cover our hair and our body parts in order to dress modestly when in public and dignify ourselves.

You're going to forcefully remove my headscarf I've been willingly wearing after my conversion to the most perfected faith tradition, with the last, final, revised God's words' edition.

Well now you've contributed to a response to injustice in me.

Well now you've contributed to a response to violations of civil liberties, human rights, and religious freedom in me.

Well now you've contributed to a response to a crime against me and my blood and religious family in me.

Well now you've agitated a trend of resistance.

Well now you've fueled a trend of by whatever means necessary.

Well now you've instigated a trend of I love my GOD, I love my Prophet, I love my religion and you're not going to stop me.

Well now you've aggrevated a trend of many who are ready to stand up for me, by many who like me, by many who are like and unlike me.

Well now you've wised up a bit and have let me perform one of my religious duties, the wearing of my headscarf again proudly.

By: Najwa Kareem

Marjan Asi worked super hard to get her Ph.D.
And now she can celebrate with her really happy and proud family

A graduation party with a piece of cake and a cup of Persian or Arab tea
Allah hu Akbar, Rah-rah, Woo-hoo, Way To Go
for the one and only

Independent and determined,
Marjan by herself moved to a new land
leaving behind her beloved parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Asi
What a fantastic job they did grooming she

Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies is what she precisely chose to study
With a goal in mind and Allah in her heart,
she pursued it to the end
for the betterment of we

Marjan Asi with a Ph.D.
Oh my God, Unbelievable, I knooow, I'll say it to many

Asking at Eid prayer,
wondering how she's doing it with a toddler son and a new baby
My husband,
He's over there,
He helps a lot, she said to me

Like with everything,
it took cooperation
walking and working together,
she and her family tree

Marjan Asi with a Ph.D.
From a top world ranked university
In a subject area regarded supreme
by The Highest Deity

You did it, my friend,
Marjan, Dr. Asi
Shukran Lillah, Shukran Jazilan,
Al hamdulilah,
I've said it to THE/thee

By: Najwa Kareem

Nasser and Aliyah met each other for the first time at a picnic hosted by a mutual friend. Aliyah impressed by Nasser's acts of helpfulness and altruism, she asked her friend Nasreen who is the guy with a willingness to bend.
Too soon did Aliyah know, Nasser was more than altruistic, his way with words whispered into her ears. Salamu Alaikum, would you like some pink lemonade or ice tea? I don't serve alcoholic beers.
Nasser was confident, self assured. He thinking to himself, What do I have to fear. Aliyah contemplating at that moment, Is it possible that Nasser and I might be a couple to be and me his dear.
Aliyah's fantasy didn't last long. The picnic on a sunny day ended with she and Nasser in a courtship that couldn't go wrong.
Their coming to know each other for marriage was effortless. Together Nasser and Aliyah went to different places and they talked about many things - from where they would live if they married and moved to how they would raise children so they wouldn't be rude.
Nasser and Aliyah's courtship was taken seriously and their days were fun. They laughed at each other and felt happy eating ice cream while sitting under the sun.
Their families pleased, both set of parents consenting to Nasser and Aliyah's decision to wed, reminded the couple who were also committed to courtship rules to wait until after their wedding day before making love in bed.
A year after their first encounter, Nasser and Aliyah's big day appeared. The couple was thrilled, so were their family members and friends. It was an intimate and joyful occasion, Nasser in a tux with a well groomed beard.
Nasser and Aliyah's wedding day brought happiness and contentment to their hearts. As they held hands at the alter and hugged each other close, they vowed never a day they would be apart.
Smiles shining on the two couples faces bright, Aliyah says to her husband before he gives her a bite,
You look splendid. You look handsome.
You look debonair.
And whispers into his ear, "And I go home with you tonight."

There I walk
sunlight reflecting on the ground underneath
Spaces cold and spaces warm
An open place where freedom is felt

I continue walking
my casual stride unplanned
An atmosphere asking for nothing of us
is where we find ourselves

Catching up quickly on concrete
he offers me a flower on a Saturday afternoon
Für dich Es ist eine Blume
A delicate pink carnation I now hold in my hand

Far into the door
one glass of hope sits quietly
in colors uncertain
his sky is drawn

Dusty its face
of streams and butterflies
a smell of rose and plumeria
galloping in love is she

So two the sweets pair
buried under a hallow escape
the sheer grabbing of desire
oosing from their lips

That shape a heart
this place in pink
a dunkin donut
that should have been red.

Arising this morning feeling low in mood and motivation from my daily exposure to a culture counter to the one we were created to live in, and from my daily life and experiences with persons who contribute to the culture as it is, I did not want to do anything. I only wanted to be comforted. I just wanted to feel comfortable.

Additionally feeling very cold from the frigid winds and trees blowing intensely and harshly outside a few glass windows I could see out of, simultaneously feeling strange from a time change by one hour, a time change having a hard to describe effect on me, I did not want to do anything. I only wanted to be comforted. I just wanted to feel comfortable.

Sitting with my feet propped up for an hour or more, I sip hot herbal tea to simply be, warm my body, and nurture my feelings.

In the evening feeling hungry as I ran a few errands in the city, I stop by a restaurant that serves Arabic food. Having made barley earlier and wanting to finish it, I order chicken shawarma to pair with it. While eating my meal, a group of three enter, two men and a woman. They take seats at a table next to mine.

Enjoying the meals we were served until completion, one of the men escapes from the table and proceeds to the front counter. He orders and says to the waitor, zum Mitnehmen. A few minutes later he comes to where I'm sitting at the table and he hands me a bag with two sandwiches inside and says, This is falafel to take with you. I smile happily. What a surprise! I say to him. Thank you very much for your kindness.

He will never know how much he helped me.

I've heard it said once.
I've heard it said twice.
I've heard it said a third time.
Told to me, a fourth.

Said by a Ghanese.
Said by a mother from Greece.
Said by an Ethopian.
Said by a man also Iranian.

Are you from Somalia?
Bist du von Marokko?
Kommen Sie aus Eritrea?
Are you from Ethopia?
From Indonesia?
Nay. Ich komme aus den USA. Aus Amerika.
"But America is better than here."

Where in America do you come from?, I'm asked sometimes.
Washington.
Why are you here?
To live here.
"But America is better than here."

This is what they've heard. So this is what they think.
​This is what she's been told. So this is what she believes.
This is what Lady Liberty says. So this is what he knows.
This is what the land of the free and the home of the brave, the land of opportunity preaches. So this is what they understand.
This is what those living the American dream said. So this is what many believe.

​"But America is better than here."
It depends on how you look at it.
It depends on what's important to you. What you value.
When you say better, what do you mean by better?

"But America is better than here."
In some ways, yes.  In some ways, no.
Every land has its' up sides and its' down sides.

Besuchen Sie oder bleiben Sie hier?
Ich bin hier bleiben.
Germany ist gut.
Es gibt gute und nicht gute Dinge über Germany.
"But America is better than here."

I know why I've chosen to live in Germany.
There are a number of reasons.

"But America is better than here."

Have you ever been hugged by God?
Hugged so tight you could feel His love.
Hugged so tight you were perplexed by His love for you.
Have you ever been hugged by God?

Have you ever been hugged by God?
Hugged by arms that wouldn't let up.
His tight clasp saying I accept you. I'm by your side.
I'm in front of you. I'm behind you.
Have you ever been hugged by God?

Have you ever been hugged by God?
Hugged and soothed by His sweet smell of the seventh Heaven.
One saying Will you come back.
One asserting I would like to see you more.
I would like to be with you more.
Have you ever been hugged by God?

Have you ever been hugged by God?
Like that of a father's that speaks I'm proud of you.
Like that of a mother's that says I love you.
Like that of a child that utters I want to play with you.
Have you ever been hugged by God?

Have you ever been hugged by God?
His friendly pull of the arms telling you I know you very well.  
I know you completely.
I'm elated to see you.
Have you ever been hugged by God?

Have you ever been hugged by God?
By His huge hug that is solid and says You are secure.
An embrace that affirms You can count on Me.
A hug that says There is a place to rest.
Have you ever been hugged by God?

by: Najwa Kareem

They know we are there but they wish not to see us and they wish not for us to see them.

A wall was intentionally placed behind them and in front of us.

Many words are spoken but from whose mouths they come from we do not know.

Is the wall a barrier or are their words?

To them it is not important that we see.

Sufficient is that we only hear.

They on the other hand have permitted themselves sight and sound.

The use of two senses and we one.

Is physical space made of air between them and us not enough of a distance?

Instead they thought to put up a wall.

A wall that upsets us.

A wall that humiliates us.

A wall that obscures us.

A wall that hurts us.

A wall that makes them forget about us.

With their wall, they have made us not a part of them.

We feel excluded.

We feel we are unimportant.

We are made to feel inferior.

If they were on our side of the wall,

Might they know then how we feel?

Might they know then what their wall has done?

By: Najwa Kareem

written on June 16, 2017

Many
Shall I repeat?
Many
Shall I repeat?
Many
Shall I repeat?
Many
Would you please not be consistent?
Would you please not be so loud?
Would you please not be so disturbing?
You're irritating us
Don't bring Godly attention our way
Don't remind us of our responsibility
Stand up
Sit down again if you're going to put your hands up and pray
while OUR GOD is playing
OUR GOD is playing, Mahmoud, don't you hear HER?
Aren't you a slave like us?
You're more of a slave than us
You're paid better than us
You're paid big money
like the rest of your proball player colleagues
You're making us feel uneasy
We feel jittering
We're uncomfortable right now
Now, we're upset
STOP.
STOP right now
or Get out. Go.
GO.
We want you to leave
We don't like you anymore
LEAVE
Hang up your jersey
and toss away your basketball
Do whatever you want with them
Sale them, Give them to charity, Put them on display in a museum or at an exhibit somewhere
We don't want to see them anymore
We don't want to see you anymore
We don't like that you make us feel like cowards
We don't like that you remind us that we haven't any reason to have pride
in our nation
in a stolen land
WHAT?!
You're making us think
We didn't come to watch a NBA basketball game to think
We didn't come to leave a NBA basketball game thinking
WHAT?!

Don't you know anything about America separating church and state?
You're American, right?
Though your name is different
If you were an immigrant
you might have had to learn this
to take a test to get your citizenship

Yes, yes, I know
that a basketball court is not a state
and that you don't believe in the church
And you've said
that the making of a prayer's never confined to any particular institution or place of worship
You said
At the doctor's office,
I pray
In the car before I pull off,
I pray
In the restaurant before I eat and after I eat,
I pray
At the start of a game,
I pray

All this unnecessary buzz
All this unnecessary hype
around me refusing to pledge allegiance to the American flag
and instead pledge allegiance to God
and pray during the anthem
Even more than 25 years later, a 1/2 of a century later,
we're talking about it
But this time
I get to speak my story
to whoever is interested
I get to speak to the world
through a number of ways
so that the truth can be heard

As for the NBA
compensate me in a way that can never repay me for what you did
for what I've gone through and others
for all of the suffering
compensate me as justly as possible
compensate me appropriately
Do what you would want to be done to you
in a fellow human's shoes
if you were in my Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf basketball player's shoes

It's your choice
Either way
My light has shined
GOD has told us that
Joslyn Rose Lyons
said this, too
and with her production
"STAND"  
a documentary film
about me and my truth,
it will continue to shine

Anything done for GOD will always be zoomed in on
Will always be talked about
Will always STAND out
Because with as many Hitlers as there are
As many Netanyahus as there are
As many corrupt Saudi Kings as there are
No matter how few,
there'll always be
Mahmouds
There'll always be
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazzs or Malcolm Xs
and
Imam Khomeinis
There'll always be
Imam Asis

You see
Mahmoud's See
"Once you see something,
you can't unsee it"
is POWER
Mahmoud's See
is INFLUENCE
Mahmoud's See
is like that of the SEA
with a beautiful, eye-catching tide
that keeps coming back
and keeps making waves
and keeps giving us reason to notice

Mahmoud
You said what you did and what Kaepernick did
By the way  
I bought 10 copies of your autobiography (audio CD)
"In The Blink Of An Eye"
produced by Kaepernick Publishing
allowed you both to speak your conscience
to do what is right
to speak against injustice
but it doesn't translate into POWER
because as you said
in so many words,
there are still many injustices
happening in America and around the world
and crimes against humanity still taking place

What you, Kaepernick,  
and the other professional athletes to whom this applies did
doesn't translate into power
because there aren't enough like you  
taking a STAND
asserting their human rights
speaking truth to power
More are emergently needed
Insha Allah, as those who take a STAND
become the norm and
they become a sizeable number,
POWER will be the result

Nonetheless,
your STAND beckons more to STAND
It's a rare match to start a flame
  
Injustice will always have its See
And justice will always be seen
even if and when it's seems to be at a distance
even when it appears out of reach

Like Mahmoud,
myself, and others,
we are forever changed by
an NBA star's See,
a human who chose to STAND's See
With it,
there is no turning back

By: Najwa Kareem

There sitting at the kitchen table
not knowing what time it is
Suddenly surprised by an unrecognized voice,
that of a young boy
an age of eleven or twelve, I presume.
I stand up quickly and walk to the sink,
The boy's voice loudly and confidently projected
through that of a microphone.

His love of God I hear in his call, His love of God I hear in his voice,
His desire to do something good I hear from his soul.

His fitra (nature) unpolluted by the evil, by the gimmicks of an unruly environment.

His innocence I listen to. His innocence and sincere faith in God. His love of God making me cry.
The most beautiful recitation of the Adhan (the call to prayer) by a youngster I have ever heard.
His parents, a parent, or another elder likely having brought him here.

The boy's call called me to my responsibility, to my duty.
A very good thing the adult brothers letting a young boy call the Adhan.

I want to meet this boy. I wish to know his name. Who is he? I want to find him. If I do, I'll tell him, You did a fantastic job. God is proud of you. I think you're near to Him.

I cry now thinking of another young boy who doesn't call the Adhan because he doesn't know how. He hasn't been taught how. He hasn't been taught how by his parents. He hasn't been taught how by the community. He hasn't been taught how by his school.

I cry but not long because like the young boy reciting the Adhan or calling us to prayer, the other young boy who doesn't know how to belongs to God and is in His good care and God the Most Just, the Most Loving takes the best care of all of His belongings.

I cry but not long because the young boy's Adhan or call called me to or reminded me of my responsibility to the other young boy and to another young boy.

KEIN RESPEKT Für SIE, NWMI
NO RESPECT For YOU, NWMI
Generally speaking, KEIN RESPEKT

In the grand scheme of things,
they do NOTHING FOR THE OPPRESSED
NWMI tun im Grunde NICHTS FÜR DIE MUSTADHAFIN

Tell me, what have they done for Yemen?
Tell me, what have they done for Palestine?
Tell me, what have they done for Syria?
Tell me, what have they done for Nigeria?
Tell me, what have they done for Myanmar?
Tell me, what have they done for oppressed Blacks in America
besides feeding some black persons who are homeless
food of lesser quality than they fed themselves at their Galas/parties and at their Eid celebrations
and offering a few BLM programs during BLM's buzz moment, trending time, media coverage frenzy?

Unlike many other Islamic, non-profit organizations run by Muslims,
they have all this money to do a lot with
And comparatively speaking,
they continuously have all this money to do a lot with

Though NWMI, you've learned from with unyielding thanks to them a few Imams and leaders
branded as freedom fighters
voices of the oppressed
who have taught you accurate information
and as far as I know, have not been guest speakers at any of your "signature" programs

So you encourage social responsibility through service
Serving who?
Serving "your own"?
Serving those who in comparison to the world's oppressed and needy
and to those oppressed and needy, both Muslims and non-Muslims in your own backyard
don't need to be served
Ha ha, what a joke

"Hold on to the rope of Allah all together and be not divided." Qur'an 3:103
in bold it reads, a welcome to their website
Well, they've divided themselves
They've separated themselves alright
from the Mustadhafin
The most oppressed of the believers,
they've separated themselves from    

I'm sure the ones you look to as role models
the Ahlul Bayt (AS)
would highly approve of your complicit, apathetic ways
Their feet followed the Mustadhafin everywhere they were
everywhere they went
You're NOT following in the Ahlul Bayt's footsteps
You're NOT

We smell hypocrisy and we hate that smell
We hate that smell called hypocrisy

KEIN RESPEKT Für SIE, NWMI

Tell me, what have you done for Iraq?
Tell me, what have you done for Afghanistan?
Tell me, what have you done for Somalia?
Tell me, what have you done for Pakistan?
Tell me, what have you done for Palästina, for again, Palestine   
"...PALESTINE CONTINUES TO BE THE ISSUE
and ISRAEL, ZIONIST ISRAEL CONTINUES TO BE THE PROBLEM." (IMAM ASI, 5/2008)  
Surely, you know, they're dying right now
They're mourning right now. RIGHT NOW
Tell me, what have you done for them?

Tell me, what have you done for me and my people...yeh the ones who are suffering in unfathomable ways all over the place?
Tell me, what have you done for my bleeding mercilessly, oppressed family?
Tell me, what have you done for my yelling loudly, screaming their hearts out for help brethren...our brothers and our sisters?
Tell me, what have you done for my regularly targeted, innocent, dear human friends?

In the grand scheme of things,
Nix
Nothing

KEIN RESPEKT Für SIE, NWMI
NO RESPECT For YOU, NWMI
I THINK YOU HEARD ME

By: Najwa Kareem

Tick, tick, crackle, pop
On a blessed Friday they drop

Like firecrackers, flickers of white light reflecting on glass
Creating images of thinly broken ice melting away as they pass

Second by second, pieces joining together harmoniously
Waterfalls painted on windows, I hear a symphony

At the bottom of every pane, each waterfall becoming a raindrop again
Tick, tick, crackle, pop sounds synchronized I think I could spin

Raindrops dropping one at a time on lofty rooftop windowpanes
An order composed with a relaxing ambiance away from the fast lanes

She's principled. So is he.
Islam is their way of life
so they understand one another.
Committed to it, dedicated to it
is the only way, she and he are free.

She and he are not afraid
to stick their necks out.
Kaepernick, wouldn't you agree?
Though hers is covered
by her own choice
and his is not covered
Both refuse to get broken
Their moral resolve with a noteworthy shout.

Her hijab
takes her places
to public places
without the need to be center stage.  
His solo self
flies through the air with a basketball in hand
on basketball courts
in his homeland
and in other places
on God's world's page.

Anytime, we wearing hijab
walk outside of our home door,
we stand
Yes, we stand
Yes, we stand proudly
not for our country
not for nationalism
not for a puffed chest
not for a pat on the back
Yes, we stand
with inner beauty
doing a grand job
of minimizing our outer beauty
We stand
We stand even when others choose not to
Even when others feel they cannot
think it's too hard
they'd rather fit in
We stand

We stand for You Most Magnificent Allah
We stand for You Most Lovely Allah
We stand for You Most Beautiful Allah
We stand for You Most Brillant Allah
We stand because of You
And we stand forever for You

We stand because of Your Love
We stand because of Your Light
We stand because of Your Fellowship
We stand because of Your Assistance
We stand because of the strength You've given to us
We stand because of Your Smiling Face Upon Us
We stand because of Your All Blue Skies
Yes, we stand

Thank you, dearest Allah
Thank you so much for ordering us to stand
Thank you enormously for showing us how to stand
"Thank you for everything" said Sr. Marzieh Hashimi, you, who in hijab stand everyday
Ya Allah, Dearest Allah, you're the reason we're able to stand
You're the reason we can confidently stand
You're more important than
You're more significant than
any distasteful look
any disbeliever's ill judgement
any person wanting not to see a hijab as not to be reminded visually of his God, wanting to dodge an in-your-face symbol of God
any human wanting to avoid digesting the message of fulfill your responsibility to God, and need to regularly express gratitude to Him
any individual who knows it isn't the piece of cloth that modestly covers he has issue with, it's God he has issue with, it's God he is distant from, it's God he's uncomfortable with, it's God he fears, it's as my unforgettable Muslim, young brother forced out of his homeland, mine, and yours, that of Syria (Every person has two homelands. His own, and Syria. -Andre Parrot) who carrying my bags to assist me said, Often, it's not the dark we're afraid of, it's the light

Thank you, Imam Asi for making sure we understand
The One Who manufactured our stand

For all ladies who believe in The One
And with whom make The One, Number One
There will be no sitting in public here
There will be no rest for us here
Because rest belongs to the Heavens
Rest is waiting for us to join it, to stop with it
if we've been given not a red light
but a green light
Oh, we want that green light
You and I
Isn't that right, Br. Mahmoud?
You want that green light
More so, because you've tasted that green light
You've tasted that green light
Who said it's a red light that starts a blaze
No, it a green one
Your STAND over 25 years ago
Got you tasting green
Got you tasting peace
Got you tasting harmony
Yes, we want that green light
Yes, ladies in hijab and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
We want that eternal sit
That sit up close and personal with Allah to see HIS platinum gold, shining face
That sit intimately with Allah's beloved Messenger and his beloved
That sit happily with our deserving kin and deserving friends we met on earth and in the heavens
That sit on canopy beds
That sit on the greenest of pastures
That sit on gold and platinum benches
in front of gardens we can't unsee
You said so, Br. Mahmoud
You said so with your ACT OF SIT
and your ACT OF STAND IN PRAYER
during the playing of the national anthem in 1996
And you said so with your words in 2022
So, as is required
We graciously STAND temporarily
for however long temporary is for us
We STAND
AUFSTEHEN, STEHEN I repeat
And we STAND with the man
whose STAND has helped change how we see ourselves
whose STAND asked us to ask ourselves
If we were Br. Mahmoud,
would we have done the same as he did
And whose prayer while standing on the court
Caused an uproar
Forced people to have to look within
and for a quick few seconds ask
Why am I singing but not feeling
Why am I honoring but not respecting
I am a contradiction
This country is a contradiction
This stolen land is a grandiose fake
Why have I abandoned my STAND

But in fear,
But in their desire to be associated with a false deity,
But in their need to feel superior
because of their inner feeling of low self-worth and insignificance,
they stopped reflecting
They stopped thinking
They stopped asking
And instead of facing the music
Instead of facing their inner voice
Instead of facing their God
They again turned to idols
They again turned to false deities
They again turned to their ills  
They turned their very backs on
the super star they had been cheering for
and routing for all along
It was easier for them to cause ruckus
Easier for them to cause pain and grief
More satisfying to scream and yell obscenities
offer death threats
Like the way the unbelievers, the hypocrites
treated our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
More satisfying to speak the unbelievable
You're fired.
Like the Monster, Donald Trump,
if he were the commissioner
would have said
Instead, David Stern said it
to a fellow human
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
a practicing Muslim
a still NBA basketball star
not former as is often written and spoke
like Imam Muhammad al-Asi
still The Imam of The Islamic Center of Washington, DC
you, a married man then
a father with children
You're fired
for your STAND
for GOD
for morals
for principles
against tyranny and oppression
against injustice and hypocrisy
against thievery and slavery
You're fired
for your refusal to STAND
for a country's anthem
for a nation's flag
for disobeying slave (Thank you, Imam Asi for not wanting to even say or speak this word as pertaining to a human referring to another human using this word) masters
and obeying The Only Master
You must pay,
they cheered
You must pay,
the NBA said
the then, David Stern said

GOD
The ONE better than
the basketball fans
the NBA
the then, David Stern
tells us that we never pay,
when we STAND
As a Muslim
on the court
when we STAND
As a Muslimah wearing hijab
in public
when we STAND
We don't pay
We gain

Gain is what we obtain
A reward is what we earn
And
For as long as we keep standing
in a jersey
or in a hijab
they'll keep hating
And
For as long as we
in a jersey
or in a hijab
keep standing
we'll keep shining God's light
and
we'll keep scoring

By: Najwa Kareem

Sitting down
My face turned towards yours

You looking at me
Me looking at you

Why do you cry?

Looking at you,
in your eyes,
I have reason to cry

By: Najwa Kareem

Smell of fresh air as I inhale
Snow falling on my nose and eyelashes
Cold at the same time not so cold
my hands and fingertips feeling like ice cubes
Tiny snow flakes falling slowly and some falling fast
appearing like dust in the air
BMW and Audi hoods and windows with a light coating
Now it's cold

Raids, rockets, guns, slaughter          
any way to **** my friends’ daughters, my friends’ brothers, my friends’ mothers, my friends’ fathers.

I see your ash covered faces, I see your blood streaming, I see your tears dropping. I see your still bodies unprotected, I see your bullet covered corpses lying flat, I see your open wounds throbbing      
Calling on you to keep fighting. Urging you to continue shouting. Begging you to carry on uniting.            

I’m here for you in a hidden place until we meet. You’ve been there for me in Gaza’s streets.    
    
Like our beloved Prophet, you’re suffering so          
Yet you keep giving us a martyrdom show.  
  
I remember you. I’m obliged not to eat. It’s Ramadan you know and it’ll end with a feast. But my dear friends will be missing at the table. I’ll be missing too but not because I’m gone. Because I’ll be standing up holding my Palestinian friends’ hands until the morning’s dawn.  

Devils with legs, Satans with money...                    
How dare you try to smother our faith, ruin my friends’ homes, steal their three-shaded bands.                                        
Who do you think you are? King of Iran? You’d do better to follow the Quran.

At least be a real Jew, at least be a real Christian, at least be a real Muslim. Netanyahu, Obama, Al Saud.
You heard me! Does your God approve of your devil worship? Does your God approve of your insanity? Does your God approve of your missing heart?

Just because you hate the truth - The Power it has – Its power to positively change the world. To stop you in your tracks. Don’t take that out on me. I AM THEM in a different part of the world. Like them, I AM HUMAN.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
No way would you bulldoze yourself. No way would you set fire on yourself. No way would you drop bombs on yourself. So why do this to my friends? Why do this to me?

Listen! My oppressed friends are dying and much of the world is crying. The planet Earth is quickly frying.
Do you not see…"Palestine is the Issue."  Thank you Imam Asi.

My dear friends facing great oppression - I will not turn my head away. My soul will not act as though you don’t matter. As though you don’t exist. As though I don’t care. I do! I’m bleeding too and I feel for you. I extend my hand and give you Salam. I embrace you - in your time of urgent need, in your time of struggle.

LONG LIVE PALESTINE! LONG LIVE MY OPPRESSED FRIEND!    

By: Najwa Kareem
July 9, 2015

He offers them to all His believers
Especially to His chosen last Prophet
And His chosen last Prophet's Family
And His chosen last Prophet's Companions
The other Prophets, forgotten,
Other people, forgotten,
By golly, no

Five times a day at least, the three asked for
In prayer, beeseched by millions for an extraordinary man
In supplication, pleaded for by countless children for exceptional parents
By loved ones for beloved family members
By community members for His orphans and His Oppressed
and for all His Mumins
Asked for by one for another

Peace, Mercy, and Blessings

A Marvelous Three

There sitting at the kitchen table
not knowing what time it is
Suddenly surprised by an unrecognized voice,
that of a young boy
an age of eleven or twelve, I presume.
I stand up quickly and walk to the sink,
The boy's voice loudly and confidently projected
through that of a microphone.

His love of God I hear in his call, His love of God I hear in his voice,
His desire to do something good I hear from his soul.

His fitra (nature) unpolluted by the evil, by the gimmicks of an unruly environment.
His innocence I listen to. His innocence and sincere faith in God. His love of God making me cry.
The most beautiful recitation of the Adhan (the call to prayer) by a youngster I have ever heard.
His parents, a parent, or another elder likely having brought him here.

The boy's call called me to my responsibility, to my duty.
A very good thing the adult brothers letting a young boy call the Adhan.

I want to meet this boy. I wish to know his name. Who is he? I want to find him. If I do, I'll tell him, You did a fantastic job. God is proud of you. I think you're near to Him.

I cry now thinking of another young boy who doesn't call the Adhan because he doesn't know how. He hasn't been taught how. He hasn't been taught how by his parents. He hasn't been taught how by the community. He hasn't been taught how by his school.

I cry but not long because like the young boy reciting the Adhan or calling us to prayer, the other young boy who doesn't know how to belongs to God and is in His good care and God the Most Just, the Most Loving takes the best care of all of His belongings.

I cry but not long because the young boy's Adhan or call called me to or reminded me of my responsibility to the other young boy and to another young boy.

Standing and looking up from underneath these Allah made magnificent trees while waiting for the next bus to come
with all of their complexities, dimensions, features
each branch artistically and uniquely designed
many almost hook like in shape
variations of pink colored carnation flowers hanging delicately from them in light, medium, and dark shades
with pin drop size black dot on each flower's stem                                                             ­                      
complemented by green and copper tone leaves
I see All Blue Skies and think they should see All Blue Skies, too

Looking up, I think it isn't fair that I see what I see
All Blue Skies and people of Palestine, people of Gaza don't see the same and don't have the same

Do they even have a moment of pause
a chance to look up at what's above  
an opportunity to marvel at something
to rest a bit

And if they have lived or survived to be able to look above their heads                                                        
isn­­­’t it often
that they see gray or black and not All Blue
Is it not rubble from deadly bombs that they see falling down on them
for many, many not to live life as they were meant to live it

Looking up at the All Blue Skies from underneath these marvelous trees
I shake my head right to left, left to right and with expressions on my face I wish I myself could see, think this isn’t fair

When we look up at the All Blue Skies above our heads and wonder why our blue skies don’t feel as blue
It’s because Palestine’s All Blue Skies aren’t there
It’s because people of Palestine and people of Gaza don’t have them that we don’t relate to them and their long standing, ongoing struggle
Because they don’t have what we have, we don’t see them as one of us
But like Nelson Mandela said, We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.

We have a lot of work to do
with us unified and with proper guidance by moral leadership
We have a lot to do
So that All Blue Skies are had by all and felt by all

We should all work in significant, high priority ways – be the Abds,
be the servants, be the slaves that Allah created us to be for Him
so that All Blue Skies for Palestine’s Human Lives are seen clearly, seen vividly, from everywhere on the globe
And afterwards, when we look up wherever we are at the All Blue Skies sitting above our heads,
we’ll feel not blue  

By: Najwa Kareem

Raids, rockets, guns, slaughter           
any way to **** my friends’ daughters, my friends’ brothers, my friends’ mothers, my friends’ fathers.

I see your ash covered faces, I see your blood streaming, I see your tears dropping. I see your still bodies unprotected, I see your bullet covered corpses lying flat, I see your open wounds throbbing      
Calling on you to keep fighting. Urging you to continue shouting. Begging you to carry on uniting.             

I’m here for you in a hidden place until we meet. You’ve been there for me in Gaza’s streets.    
    
Like our beloved Prophet, you’re suffering so          
Yet you keep giving us a martyrdom show.   
   
I remember you. I’m obliged not to eat. It’s Ramadan you know and it’ll end with a feast. But my dear friends will be missing at the table. I’ll be missing too but not because I’m gone. Because I’ll be standing up holding my Palestinian friends’ hands until the morning’s dawn.  

Devils with legs, Satans with money...                     
How dare you try to smother our faith, ruin my friends’ homes, steal their three-shaded bands.                                        
Who do you think you are? King of Iran? You’d do better to follow the Quran.

At least be a real Jew, at least be a real Christian, at least be a real Muslim. Netanyahu, Obama, Al Saud.
You heard me! Does your God approve of your devil worship? Does your God approve of your insanity? Does your God approve of your missing heart?

Just because you hate the truth - The Power it has – Its power to positively change the world. To stop you in your tracks. Don’t take that out on me. I AM THEM in a different part of the world. Like them, I AM HUMAN.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 
No way would you bulldoze yourself. No way would you set fire on yourself. No way would you drop bombs on yourself. So why do this to my friends? Why do this to me?

Listen! My oppressed friends are dying and much of the world is crying. The planet Earth is quickly frying.
Do you not see…"Palestine is the Issue."  Thank you Imam Asi.

My dear friends facing great oppression - I will not turn my head away. My soul will not act as though you don’t matter. As though you don’t exist. As though I don’t care. I do! I’m bleeding too and I feel for you. I extend my hand and give you Salam. I embrace you - in your time of urgent need, in your time of struggle.

LONG LIVE PALESTINE! LONG LIVE MY OPPRESSED FRIEND!    

By: Najwa Kareem
July 9, 2015

All baby blue sky wide and vast overhead
looking upward
in front of me, behind me, right, and left
all clear and no red

Not one imperfection do I see
like that of any Father
if he chooses
if he tries hard
not impossible for that of a Father of one, two, or three

God's final Prophet and Messenger (PBUH), Best Ab Ever
rose when his daughter, Lady Fatimah (AS) entered the room
his willingness to take chirping birds, his blood and others to the heavens
a role model for men with kids, a captivating, best-selling book, so clever

The sun's bright and radiant shine
a freedom-for-the-oppressed fighting Pop
whose love and care were shown consistently
reminding me of The Black Prince of yours and mine

From miles away, a Baba inconveniently rises from a table of food and folks, a comfortable place to be
on the phone, he speaks with each of his children
at the end of a thought-provoking speech, three daughters circling around him
an inspiring, beautiful, unforgettable sight for me

Similar to the gentle, merciful, ocean-shore-sounding, trees-blowing breeze outside
a Father's "Nothing bad to say, Dad" influence
uplifts, encourages bravery, soothes, guides, offers peace, stability and flexibility when needed
motivation, joy, and a little wiggle and giggle by-his/her-side

The sky big, open, and inviting
a crow in a special air ***** its wings a bit and then glides
Abu's son or daughter once a child
all clear skies, the pilot's plane rides

He smiles She smiles
I'm glad
He listens
Nothing bad to say, Dad.

By: Najwa Kareem

*Written on 6/19/22

One of the best at it
moving efficiently
he cleans up his mess
using all the tools in his kit
Go on my brother
I knew you'd do it

Even when others don't understand
he cleans up his mess
working hard
doing what is needed
until all damaged parts
are buried in the sand

I say looking up
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
Please bring him again to the deen

He backs out strong
Brother's muscles moving
brother's gone

Do you need help?
randomly appearing another asked
Allah's voice speaking unmasked

I say looking up
my hands open to the sky
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
Please bring him again to the deen

He backs out strong
no need to look behind
the bright sight ahead
moving him right along

By: Najwa Kareem

Written on 12/22/21

In the Nahi house, they wed in nineteen ninety seven
Chilly and brisk on an Autumn day,
it was hard to know it on the inside,
their faces glowing like that of heaven

Rokh & Nahi, looking of young Hollywood,
a beauty in a photo
resembling one of Nahi's mom and pop's,  
my sister T figuring it would
No thought in their guests' minds,
this is not going good

Intimate, lively, and buzzing the atmosphere,
People happily conversing, many one on one
I overheard big brother joking with Nahi about you're gonna get some

I wonder now what were the parents, one of Rokh's high in the skies
feeling
as they witnessed the coming together of their daughter and their son
Echoing Grand Nahi,
Bryan would say,
You're not two people
Now, you are one

In these modern times,
many married couples don't last
because of their self centeredness and superficiality
Hopefully in each other,
RokhNahi have found peace and tranquility,
not to mention, namaste

This twosome's souls,
sweet as Nokesville's Pumpkin Pie
and that I can assure you, is the truth and no lie
A wedded pair I can understand
because their love is still saying, Yes, we'll make it land

Like the communion between lovely, white doves,
I'm guessing in their rural nest, there's little push and shove
Mr. & Mrs. a many years,
one tarot card's telling
a contentful matrimony with few tears

Surely in their twenty three year span,
they've been tempted to eat from the forbidden tree
with all of its lustful allure and ornaments calling Rokh or Nahi
Their commitment to God stronger than their commitment to each other
has kept them from dropping to a level of single me,
and Wow, from falling, two apples quickly from the tree

Twenty three years, I'll always be right there
Two kids later,
we think they'll make it to their rocking chairs

Happy Anniversary, onward to planet Mercury
These going strong astronauts are traveling fast,
Allah willing, they'll continue moving on full blast

RokhNahi twenty three,
a long standing he & she
The road to their future
is complementary, free
and for happily ever after now,
each toast to we

By: Najwa Kareem

Imam MUSA, M for man, USA, for America, the great dister
he, a Muslim American leader in a country, Zionist, her sister 
known to be a disgusting, agonizing, maximus blister  

No coincidence, your death and mourning your loss is happening at Thanksgiving  
Sucker punched by America’s lies and propaganda was not your way of living  
Nor when you were exposing the barbaric, perpetual crimes of your native land were you kidding  

A consistent, reliable voice of the Mustadhafeen
You were among them, Islamically preaching, Islamically teaching and influencing many to the deen
You're one of the Mumineen

Isn't that, right? He speaking confidently, speaking truth, he’d ask us during a speech or presentation
A bright smile and a joke here and there to lighten the misery of his peoples' condition, certainly no vacation
far from what humans are rightfully due, far from elation

He focused on what it is that I can do
and encouraged us to join him, walk the talk, for those many with only one shoe
Please lend a hand - Please come together and help out the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, too

Beautifully created, more beautiful on the inside
he brought clarity and unique features to our understanding of America's fake pride
and Zionist Israel's, Saudi Arabia's, and other corrupt nations' injustices, so grossly wide

Not pro American, but pro Islam, pro truth, pro equality, pro peace, pro brotherhood, pro Palestine, pro The Islamic Republic of Iran
Salam, dearest Imam, we should've done more and at least regularly said to you, Shukran
By not letting your legacy die, through actions, more than words, Insha Allah, we'll meet you and make it up in the heaven's dawn

By: Najwa Kareem

Would you have guessed you’d be next?
Perhaps you said so to someone close once in a text. Your suspicions concerning the police kept you running.
Did you ever consider that maybe you were too stunning?
That maybe your continuous smile was too bright.
That maybe your face was filled with too much light.
That maybe your comings and goings, your daily visits to Mom were too much.
That perhaps your happy, cheerful, respectful demeanor could reach out and touch.
That maybe a look into your eyes, they were blinded by the sun.
That surely at the ripe age of 25, your life would be done.
An act of racism I ask?
An act of brutality I ask?
An act of inhumanity I ask?
An act of injustice I ask?
Where in police school does one learn that a young black man standing on the street makes him a suspect?
Where in police school does one learn wearing Prada makes you a
prospective criminal?
Where in police school does one learn that having a nickname Pepper
makes one a target?
Where in police school does one learn that a citizen’s lead
poisoning makes him a magnet for a 6 police officer raid?
Where in police school does one learn that having no knowledge of a
man carrying a knife makes him the next chase?
Where in police school does one learn that being a human officer
entitles one to act unjustly against a human person?
Who are you or I to say because he couldn’t read as well as you or I his life didn’t matter?
Who are you or I to say because Freddie lived like many in low-income housing he didn’t deserve a chance at a better life?
Who are you or I to say because he had been arrested for drug
possession in the past he didn’t deserve to live out his dream?
Who are you or I to say because he liked to sing and make others laugh he didn’t deserve a life of dignity?
Who are you or I to say he didn’t have the right to continue
visiting his dear Mother, Mrs. Gloria Darden?
Who are you or I to say he shouldn’t have had the privilege to
continue walking Baltimore’s streets?
Now Freddie our hearts grieve your loss.
Now Freddie my heart grieves your uncalled-for death.
Now Freddie your prideful city has simmered down but it still feels
the pain.
Now Freddie my warmest sympathy to you, your family, your friends,
your supporters, and the city of Baltimore.

Everywhere I look,
I see oppression

Everywhere I walk,
I see inequality

Everywhere I turn,
I see misery

Everywhere I do what I need to do,
I see discrimination

Everywhere I talk and am talked to,
I see evil

There is no pretending
There is no escaping
There is no ignoring

Our lives too heavy
Our lives too burdensome
Our lives too unnatural
Our lives too abnormal
Our lives too harsh

There is a God said solution
There is a God given resolution

LIBERATE MECCA

FREE MECCA

Let it be OUR top priority
So that we will ALL be free
So that we will ALL have peace
So that we will ALL live

By: Najwa Kareem

CONFIDENCE
Most everything begins with it. Most everything ends with it.

Most everything is based on it. Where you go depends on it.

How well you stand is grounded on it. Your move forward is guided by it.

Fun in your life is not without it. Courage is you living daringly with it.

Saying no to harm is embracing it. Liking yourself is contingent on it.

CONFIDENCE

Loving fully is marked by it. Walking unknown paths accompanies it.

Living morally is founded on it. Evil abandoning you is because of it.

Knowing who you are comes from it. An accommodating way projects it.

Speaking truth is based upon it. Behaving justly distinguishes it.

Risking being rejected proclaims it. Learning from mistakes adds to it.

CONFIDENCE

An obedient worshipper demands it. A skilled worker fosters it.

Embracing differences boast it. Weathering hardships manifest it.

A variety of experiences build it. Trusting in predestination solidifies it.

Taking care of oneself conveys it. Cherishing one's power honors it.

Befriending a new person necessitates it. Intolerance for disregard embodies it.  

CONFIDENCE

Pursuing the best demonstrates it. Using your talents communicates it.

Respecting those in your life exhibits it. Showing gratitude is an example of it.

Accepting acts of love displays it. Valuing others requires it.

Admitting one's faults obliges it. Asking pertinent questions confirms it.

Embracing criticism reveals it. Humbleness and kindness illustrate it.

CONFIDENCE

Dressing uniquely unveils it. A parent's expression of approval shapes it.

Viewing it in another encourages it. Communion with a Higher Power gives one it.

Spending time in God's embrace and honoring Him shines it. Standing up against injustice and being a voice for the oppressed exudes it.
CONFIDENCE  

by Najwa Kareem